Celebrating Menarche

by Nicki Bradley | More from this Blogger

15 Feb 2006 05:53 PM

Do you remember how you celebrated your first menstrual period? Were you happy? Horrified? Shocked? A little of everything? Many years ago, talking about our periods was not something that was encouraged and many girls only found out what menstruation was after the first (often scary) blood. We know better, we are a more open society and we have many useful tools and references with which to guide our daughters to an earlier education about puberty.

For many girls, menarche (our first menstrual period) is a rite of passage that they will never forget. If you answered any of the opening questions in this article, you are one of them! How you guide your daughter into this stage of her life and react to her blossoming womanhood will heavily influence her memories of this special time.

Celebration is in order! Don't let the word celebration put you off. A celebration can be a small acknowledgement; it does not have to be a huge ordeal (although it certainly can be!). The important thing is that both Mother and Daughter enjoy themselves and that our daughters feel special and honored, as they should.

The following are some ideas of ways to celebrate your daughter's "First Moon":

• Perhaps skipping school for the day and having a girls' day out with a special lunch and shopping might fit the bill.
• Maybe a special gift passed down through the generations would be touching.
• Some women find lighting a candle to have special spiritual significance.
• Cooking your daughter's favorite meal can be a private way to celebrate that includes the family (but perhaps without their knowledge, as your daughter's comfort level indicates)
• Ceremonial "kits" are available on the internet such as the First Moon: Passage to Womanhood kit
• If celebration isn't your thing, there are also menarche kits online that can make wonderful gifts. Many contain more natural menstruation products, most contain really great books for Mom and Daughter and special gifts, candles, jewelry, etc. to make this transition into motherhood a memorable one. A kit I especially love is the Debu, Inc gift box

It's a great new society now that our monthly periods no longer have to be a source of embarrassment. I hope you will guide your daughter through this right of passage in a way that uplifts her, whatever that way may be!

Learn more about Nicki Bradley

I live in the suburbs of Detroit and I'm happily re-married with six children (3 his, 2 mine, 1 ours) ranging in age from 3.5 to 12.

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